Wildlife conservation in Nigeria: Problems and strategies

Summary

This paper draws the attention to the major threats to nature conservation in Nigeria, and reviews critically the measures adopted for the protection of wildlife. The major problems include habitat degradation (through uncontrolled logging, agricultural projects, industrial plantations, highway and urban development, and exploitation for fuelwood), over-hunting and poaching

Steps taken so far to protect wildlife include the creation of one national park and eighteen game reserves, enactment of wildlife laws, signing of international treaties, and manpower development. These measures have however failed to produce the desired effect owing largely to public apathy, low level of funding, inadequate game laws and weak enforcement of existing legal provisions.

It is suggested that the Federal Government should intervene more positively in favour of conservation by creating more national parks and assuming joint responsibility with the states for formulating wildlife laws. Furthermore, the role of non-governmental organizations in influencing conservation policies and mobilizing public opinion will be crucial in the difficult years ahead.

Dr. P. A. Anadu, although recently on secondment to the Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, UK; is currently on the staff of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife in the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Benin.

References

Adekunle, A. A (1971) The non-timber forest resources of the high forest areas of Nigeria,Nig. J. For. 1, 12–15.Google Scholar

Afolayan, T. A. (1977) Savanna structure and productivity in relation to burning and grazing regimes in Kainji Lake National Park. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Ibadan.

Kio, P. R. O. and Hall, J. B. (1982)Models for the sustained use of rainforest. UNESCO-MAB/UNEP Regional Training Seminar on the Impacts of Human Activities on the rainforest Ecosystem. University of Ibadan, Ibadan. 15–17 March, 1982.Google Scholar